Best assets: It’s easy to overlook Indian Hills, because it competes in a Big North Conference Freedom Division that includes heavyweights Northern Highlands, Ramapo and Ridgewood. The Braves merit a spot inside the Top 10 thanks to 13 letter winners, including 10 seniors. The team returns seven starters and is strong on offense with senior Fs Megan Chesney and Kelly Yadoff. “The goal for this season is to really attack, put balls in the back of the next with our highest priority, while keeping them out,” Gyulay said. The cast of returnees also includes a quartet of seniors: Ms Meghan Halloran and Jessica Weir, D Baylie Gerber and G Ann Wray. Junior Taylor Salvigsen will contribute to the midfield. Sophomore Jacquelyn Vergnes is a strong one-one-one defender who will work the back line. “We have underclassmen who are going to fill in nicely,” Gyulay said.

Forecast: Regardless of where the Braves finish in the Freedom, they are a solid team, capable of winning multiple matches in Bergen County and North 1, Group 3 tournaments. Last season was Gyulay’s first leading the Braves and he anticipates them rising another rung on the ladder. “We expect [2016] to be our starting point, and we want to spring forward from there,” Gyulay said. “We do expect to take another step forward.”